STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
This was a topic of great concern and I spoke about it at our Operators & Developers Dinner on Thursday Night. In a nutshell, the North America market has achieved a state of neutral growth with several locations opening BUT a number also closing. Europe is HOT! HOT! HOT! With many facilities several years old and making more money now then in years past. Asia and Australia has seen a slight resurgence with the improvement of the currency crises from a couple of years ago.

(this was found on a 2000 enquiry newsletter on www.lasertag.org)

 

PAINTBALL ISN'T VIOLENT
To the casual observer: we carry "guns" and "shoot" people, but are those two things really violent? Violence in today's society destroys lives. The very foundational rules of paintball seeks to limit personal injury:

Paintball markers are restricted to low velocities.

Players must wear protective eye wear. The use of eye wear SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR PAINTBALL, is strictly enforced.

Close range shooting of an opponent is discouraged and players find this type of behaviour "bad form".

No physical contact between player is allowed. (Other than celebratory "high fives" after the successful completion of a game.) These four things show that paintballers are not out to hurt each other.

(this was written by Durty Dan on Paintball.org)

 

obviously a major substitute for video games is playing outside.  it is way too hard to try to predict the trends that will occur involving the popularity of playing outside.  i know physical fitness is being more emphasized but it seems that that is primarily with older people, not kids.  besides, the number of gym memberships is increasing so people still aren't going outside and i don't believe going to the gym to be a substitute for video game playing.  the above articles just give a little info on the future and sales pitches of lasertag and paintball.  these are easy substitutes for people to jump inside their favorite action games.  here is some info on board games and other toy sales...

 

2000 was an extremely disappointing year for Hasbro," said Alan G. Hassenfeld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "A host of factors contributed to a loss year that we view as an aberration when you look at our performance over the long term and the record results of 1999. However, our international business continued to be strong, with revenues from international customers up almost 17.8% in local currencies and 8.7% in U.S. dollars. Worldwide, core brands that performed well were G.I. Joe, Action Man, Tonka, Play-Doh, games and robotic pets."

For the year, net revenues worldwide were $3.8 billion compared to $4.2 billion in 1999, reflecting a significant decline in Furby and Star Wars. Total fourth quarter net revenues were $1.2 billion compared to $1.6 billion a year ago. The decline in fourth quarter revenues primarily reflects a decline in Pokemon, including trading card games, as well as weakness in the U.S. toy group.

(this from a press release from Hasbro.com)

 

Boys-Entertainment
Annual worldwide gross sales for the Boys-Entertainment division, which consists of the Wheels and Entertainment categories, were flat for the year at $1.2 billion. The Entertainment category experienced a 2 percent increase in worldwide sales. In the Wheels category total sales declined 2 percent and market share gains were offset by downward adjustments in retail inventories.

For the fourth quarter, worldwide sales for the Boys-Entertainment division were flat at $414 million. Led in part by an 8 percent increase in Hot Wheels worldwide sales, the Wheels division experienced a 6 percent increase. Worldwide sales in the Entertainment division declined 7 percent due to the strength of Toy Story 2 sales in last year's fourth quarter.

(this from a 2/1/01 press release found on Mattel.com)

 

overall i'd say the toy industry hasn't seen much of a decline or increase.  those should about cover the substitutes.  have fun yo!!!!